In the wake of widespread shutdowns spurred by the impact of COVID-19, many professionals found themselves navigating the daunting terrain of job uncertainty. The quest for a new employment opportunity becomes not only a professional challenge but a financial one as well. As you embark on the journey of job applications and resume submissions, there’s a pressing need to have a close look at the state of your finances. Fear not – this article unveils five strategies to get your bank account out of the negative between jobs.
It also shows you how to breathe vitality back into your financial health. Join us as we explore actionable steps to navigate this transitional period with resilience and emerge financially stronger between jobs.
(Guest article by WomenLed.org)
Unfortunately, for many professionals, COVID-19 has caused mass shutdowns of all types of companies and organizations. For workers whose companies don’t offer remote transitions, the prospect of searching for a new job has been intimidating. While you’re filling out applications and sending in resumes, put your skills to good use with these five strategies to get your bank account out of the negative between jobs and off life support.
If you’re struggling with money problems, check out the articles on Budget Ontrack to learn how to create a personal budget, pay off debt, save more, and many other tips to help improve your finances.
1. Write (and Sell) Your Story
The statistics are in, and it’s good news for creatives out there. Book sales are up, and while titles on gardening and cooking are popular, nearly every niche has seen a surge in demand. Along with physical books, eBooks are growing in popularity too – readership has jumped at least 30 percent, notes Forbes. Clearly, if you have a story inside you that’s waiting to get out, now is the time to start writing.
2. Gain Marketable Skills
One way to boost your earning power is to gain skills that are in demand. An online degree program can give you the flexibility to learn at your own pace so you can still work while completing the curriculum. For example, degrees in business management, accounting, and marketing can give you real-world knowledge that employers are looking for.
3. Check Out Remote Gigs
While writing books is an ideal opportunity for some, not everyone wants a career as an author. If you’re seeking other work that is doable from home, checking out remote gigs can offer new opportunities. Remote roles like online teacher, web developer, or virtual personal trainer mean you can stay at home while earning an income.
In addition, iREVIEWS has curated a comprehensive list of “work from home” and remote working websites. The list includes sites that offer freelancing jobs, working flexible hours, and other remote work job types for many different industries.
Choosing one of these distance roles may involve additional education or training. But if you’re between jobs right now, learning how to code or pursuing an online degree could be an excellent use of your time. Taking an online course is another way to build skills that can get you back to work even faster.
4. Launch a Freelancer Profile
For anyone who’s not interested in reinventing their career, filling a resume gap (and empty bank account) may be more of a priority. In that case, gig work is preferable to blazing a new professional path. Gig workers like the flexible nature of their work, notes Gig Economy Data Hub, and more than two-thirds are satisfied with the arrangement. In fact, many choose gig work to support unstable earnings in their traditional jobs.
One quick way to start sourcing gig work is by setting up a profile on a freelancing site. Freelancing sites help connect you with clients from all niches, and a lot of the work is done for you. You can pitch for jobs in various industries, from engineering and architecture to customer service to admin support.
Then, you can scale your services to meet your financial needs. That means hitting pause whenever you need a break, or seeking extra work when times are tough.
5. Look Around Your Neighborhood
Looking in your neighborhood for work opportunities is a smart strategy. Maybe the newly adopted pup of the couple down the street could use regular walks since his humans returned to work. Or the family next door may have school-age kids who would benefit from online tutoring or in-person help with their virtual learning.
Asking around your neighborhood could mean a few side jobs that help you make ends meet between full-time roles. Or, you might make a networking connection that pays off in the form of a legitimate employment offer.
Struggling with finances is never easy. With one of these options, you can start earning money and relieve financial stress during your search for a full-time position so you can still cover your household expenses.
Leave a comment below if you’ve used one of these strategies successfully, or if you use a different strategy that has worked for you.
